Tag Archives: Simple Life

I ve been catching up with my reading marathon… it has to be 101 in1001 days, right? I have read somewhere that a kid read1000 books in 365 days, well she had done that while traveling, in between places, perhaps. Me, I manage to do reading actually while in LRT, car, and in the loo :> other than that, the time and places are too hectic…

Well, what I have been reading or in the process* of reading:

Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton

Airframe by Michael Crichton (anything written by this author interests me)

Time Traveller’s Wife* (i lost the book! I probably left it in a van… :<)

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom (thanks Kuya for sending me the book)

You have the Power to Create Love by Bo Sanchez (a reading companion while in Coron Palawan)

Duh! by Francis Kong (authographed)

Why Dont You Grow Up (Dad)? by Francis Kong (authographed too)

The Lightning Thief*(Percy Jackson Series) – I am catching up with Jolo, he’s now in 3rd book

The Sphere* by Michael Cricthon

The Only Real Things Matter by Francis Kong

Not bad, that’s almost 10% of my target. And that’s aside from business and “people” books I ve been reading while waiting my turn during training, and re-read of Harry Potter 7, to refresh me before and after the movie… :>

The pictures were taken at our favorite farm that witnessed a lot from our childhood days! Taken during sunset, that’s also our favorite time to play!

We just had a great, great time during and after our gift-giving activity, the day before Christmas! If there is one moment that I will choose to just “stood still,” this will be it! I came to believe that life is CREATED for moments like these. No other trimmings, no other frills and fuss, no fancy place and ambiance… but just laughs, fun, and great time… surrounded by family and loved ones and nature and blessings! (Made even better with the presence of my brothers Lito and RIcky and their kids, especially Chuko and Deanne plus Te Leli! – whom we have not seen for 10 years….)

My greatest appreciation to my staff and colleagues at Audit Department. Life and work wouldn’t have been so engaging, rewarding and “easy” without the enthusiasm, commitment, motivation of these people. I have learned a lot from this bunch and I hope that I was able to inspire them too. Our moments of working, planning, achieving and playing together deserves this video clip I made:

November 15, 2009, I’ve started “walking” again in the morning. This thing is one of those in my “procrastination” list for a very long time (say 2 years!) It’s always in my goal, but never came around it until on the 15th of Nov.

Without plan, without preparation, without further ado, I just wore my running shoes (now flaky), put my early-riser little girl Aliya on her stroller, picked up the camera, and just walked. I followed the same road to old playground at the back of the village. There, I realized how nice it is to walk again and castigated myself for not doing it so soon….

The benefits are limitless…
🙂 I have relaxed moments of thinking…
😉 it seems my mind is clearing of “cobwebs”…
😮 my nerves is calming down
🙂 i can feel i can face the day with more confidence and enthusiasm
😉 my rubber shoes are now put into use
🙂 regained “smile-back” relationship with my neighbors
😉 the air is fresh and it’s good for my lungs
😉 my belly is sweating (where I put a tight band)
😮 the physical workout is good for my heart
😉 I am working on my photo-shooting
🙂 Aliya is enjoying the scene and seen a lot of “tek-tek” (roosters)
🙂 and I love every minute with my little girl Aliya!

So, the following day, we did again… and the next day, we walked again… and so on and on….

Be twice as good at half the price!
In other words: be insanely awesome… go the extra mile!
It’s a powerful principle that we can apply in whatever we do.
For business, or in employment (and in life for that matter), we must constantly ask this question: “How can we give twice the value for half the price?”
As Bo Sanchez put it in business concept, he gave two big reasons why we need to do this:
First: you simplify the sales process! You don’t have to beg them to buy from you. People will be begging you to sell to them.
Second: You make your customer retention easier: Even if they scout around for other suppliers, they’ll discover that they can”t get the same value they get from you… and so will keep coming back to you.”
Same holds true to our life and our dealings with people and challenges. We must be insanely awesome in everything we do so we can leave a mark and make our worth more “worthy” to our “customers” (be it family, colleague, company, team, community… or God).
Go the extra mile, do more as expected.
Anybody can be “extraordinary” by giving a little “extra” on the ordinary!

Just like to make an emphasis of the “first-time”
It’s just the same feelings of awe and excitement, eventhough the experiences have already happened before. Pardon, if I am just too “babaw” (shallow) when come to this. Well, I am just enjoying life and what it offers…. everyday….
Below are some accounts of what happened to me on last Friday and Sat…. (that I can add to my 101 list).
🙂 seen the tiger head going to Baguio (Kennon Road), I was still awed by the enormity of it, since I always remember it small.
🙂 been to Mines View again and seen the monochromatic landscape of mountains (but I’m bother by new four tombs in the bottom of the ravine 😦 )
🙂 ate at Rose Bowl and the pata tim was so delicious
😮 amazingly did the travel back and forth of Baguio in just one day
🙂 seen the vast Hacienda Luisita
🙂 enjoyed our interview of applicants, they are all qualified, but unfortunately have to accept only two.
😮 I learned that the Marcos bust on the mountainside was already gone (I just thought it just suffered some damage or vandalism — sayang…)
🙂 ate at the famous (1st) restaurant of Aling Lucing (sisig)…
🙂 nice stay at Fontana, I like the feeling of relax mode (and the greenery, nice bed sheets, quiet streets and the new grand lobby)
🙂 seen the new upcoming 2 stores of Puregold (Baguio and Angeles)
😉 started reading the book “Judas Strain” (I think I can finish it in less than 4 days — record-breaking!)

Well it’s rare for a person who isn’t sometimes (or often) have moments of self-doubt. When you’re feeling lousy about yourself, what can you do to feel better?

Then do something worthy of your respect. To like yourself better…do something that makes you likable. It’s tempting to think that support and encouragement from other people will reassure you, but A) often that doesn’t work and B) often you can’t winkle other people into giving you a pep talk.

Try this:1. Do a good deed. This is as selfish as it is selfless; you’ll benefit as much as the person you’re helping. Make small gestures of good citizenship. Offer directions to someone who looks lost. Sign up to be an organ donor.2. Choose nice clothes to wear. Look your best even if you don’t feel like it. That will surely boost you.3. Keep a resolution. You’ll get a boost from the mere fact that you made a commitment (even not as grand like doing 5-minute walk daily or cleaning) and stuck to it.4. Become an expert. There’s great satisfaction in mastery. Pick a subject that honestly interests you, and dig in deep.5. Challenge yourself physically and boost your energy. Some people feel great after roller-coaster-ride (like me). For less daring, a bike ride, or cleaning the car or pole dancing can do the trick.6. Keep an eye for positive things and circumstances. Think of half-full glass.7. Smile. Lighten up. The smile “back” is as rewarding and contagious.8. Don’t fret. Don’t think much about “how to be happy” as this highlights why you are gloomy in the first place. Do something fun.9. Get enough sleep.